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Visitor Comments: 8

(8)
sharona,
June 20, 2014 5:12 AM

Let's keep up the unity and find pleasant ways like inviting people for Shabbos etc. May those young man be redeemed soon. And may Moshiach soon

(7)
Cena Glass,
June 20, 2014 2:04 AM

Bring back our boys!

We are human beings. Being a Jew I am ferverently praying for the boys safe return and for their families strength and hope.

(6)
Fay,
June 20, 2014 1:41 AM

I will be praying for these boys and for Israel.

(5)
Nancy,
June 19, 2014 11:59 PM

6 Day War

When I was a young girl, I remember when the Jewish people of my town got together in the synagogue to make a pledge to send money to Israel in support. Myself and the whole congregation pledged more than many of us could afford. I felt so proud and united with my Jewish community. It feels like that support will always be there for our own. I pray that our three beautiful fellows are returned safely.

(4)
Anonymous,
June 19, 2014 10:34 PM

https://www.facebook.com/Shabbosforourboys

(3)
Henny,
June 19, 2014 8:33 PM

Unithing with you in prayer and storm the Heavens asking God to bring them home safely and soon!

(2)
susan weinberger,
June 19, 2014 4:25 PM

tommorrow we all have something to do

TOMMORROW , FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH, WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE GOING TO DO HAFRASHAT CHALLAH TO BEG HASHEM FOR THE RETURN OF THESE BOYS. FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE AND TAKE CHALLAH, PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK http://www.secretofchallah.com/50708/Hafrashat-ChallahThere is a special blessing for the challah, and you can ask for anything you need during this special moment.

(1)
Elina,
June 19, 2014 4:07 PM

I'd like to pray with you

As a pro-Israel Finnish Christian I'd like to join you and pray for these young boys. May God give them strength and hope today. Please, Lord, bring them back to home soon!

About the Author

Rabbi Tzvi Sytner grew up in Los Angeles, CA and earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State College, a Masters in Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Master's degree as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Touro University. He has delivered inspiring lectures worldwide, including South Africa, Australia, and of course Israel. While studying in Israel, Rabbi Sytner received his Rabbinic Ordination from The Jerusalem Kollel under Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits, and led Shabbos programs for over 1000 college students on Birthright. He currently has a popular video blog on Aish.com, titled, "Just Breathe" viewed by over 8,500 per month, and is a Rabbi at the Village Shul in Toronto, Canada.

I’ve heard the argument made that Jews should not buy German products, for example Volkswagen cars which used Jewish slave labor during the war. It is wrong for Jews to support German industries?

My cousin says we should just forgive and forget. I would like your thoughts on the subject.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The great rabbi known as the Chazon Ish once said that if a Torah scroll was found burning, and a man used it to light his cigarette, there is no Jewish law that forbids it. Nevertheless, doing so would show a lack of sensitivity. So too, Jewish law does not forbid purchasing a German car.

Regarding the "demand for forgiveness," people often quote the Bible that when one is struck, it is proper to "turn the other cheek" and allow that cheek to be struck as well. But that only appears in the Christian Bible. Jews believe in fighting actively against evil.

Almost all people are inherently good and so we should forgive their lapses. But some people are truly evil – for example, Amalek, the ancient nation which wantonly attacked the Jews leaving Egypt.

Over two millennia ago when Haman (a descendant of Amalek) was commanded by the king to lead his enemy Mordechai through the streets of Shushan, Mordechai was too weak to climb on to the horse. Haman had to stoop to allow Mordechai to use his back as a stepping stool. In the process, Mordechai delivered a vicious kick to Haman which obviously startled him.

Turning to Mordechai in bewilderment, Haman asked: "Does it not say in your Bible, 'Do not rejoice at your enemy's downfall?'" Mordechai responded that indeed it does, but it refers only to people less evil than Haman. So too, we have no reason or allowance to forgive the Nazis and their helpers. Those who scraped the concrete in the gas chambers gasping for air can choose whether to forgive the Germans. We cannot.

In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat addressed the Knesset in Jerusalem. Sadat was the first Arab leader to officially visit Israel, after receiving an invitation from Menachem Begin. Sadat had orchestrated the Egyptian attack on Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but after suffering defeat became resigned to the existence of the State of Israel. Much of the Arab world was outraged by Sadat's visit and his change of strategy. One year later, Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Peace Agreement, for which they received the Nobel Peace Prize. As part of the deal, Israel withdrew from the Sinai peninsula in phases, returning the entire area to Egypt by 1983.

There are many tasks, jobs, and chores that we will end up
doing whether we really enjoy doing them or not. Many hours of our lives are spent this way. The late Rabbi Chaim Friedlander, of Ponevehz Yeshivah, used to say, "If you are going to do it anyway, do it with joy."

Train a young lad according to his method, so that when he grows older he will not deviate from it (Proverbs 22:6).

He shall not deviate from it - the child will not deviate from the method with which he was taught. That method refers to the way we are taught to adapt to life's many hurdles, struggles, and tests.

Education consists of more than just imparting knowledge; it also means training and preparation in how to deal with life. Knowledge is certainly important, but is by no means the sum total of education.

"A person does not properly grasp a Torah principle unless he errs in it" (Gittin 43b). People usually do not really grasp anything unless they first do it wrong. In fact, the hard way is the way to learn. Children learn to walk by stumbling and picking themselves up; young people learn to adjust to life by stumbling and picking themselves up.

Parents and teachers have ample opportunities to serve as role models for their children and students, to demonstrate how to adapt to mistakes and failures. If we show our children and students only our successes, but conceal our failures from them, we deprive them of the most valuable learning opportunities.

We should not allow our egos to interfere with our roles as educators. Parents and teachers fulfill their obligations when they become role models for real life.

Today I shall...

try to share with others, especially with younger people, how I have overcome and survived my mistakes.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...